As reported in today’s Seattle Times, Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz delivered an important message to Howard Dean and the National Democratic Party meeting in New Orleans.
Dwight is not someone to mince words. I appreciate that. Someone has to tell the Emperor he has no clothes. Democrats at the top need to listen.
While not on the agenda, Iraq was raised in a meeting Dean had with state party officials Friday. Washington State Party chairman Dwight Pelz told Dean the party’s murkiness” on Iraq was causing problems with the rank and file and that tension between activists and the national party leadership in Washington could sap their energy this fall. “I understand it’s always better to have a lot of passion around an election,” Dean said. “But what more passion could we possibly invoke than stopping George Bush from continuing to destroy the country?” Responded Pelz: “It’s not working.”
Well one reason it’s not working is that Iraq ranks up there as one of the major concerns of voters, yet the first sentence quoted above says it all “While not on the agenda….”
You have the Democratic National Committee holding a three day meeting in New Orleans and Iraq is not on the agenda? I could believe that if it was Bush meeting with Congressional leadership, but the Democrats?
Dean said he wanted to talk more about finding a consensus, but later this year and behind closed doors.
“I do not want to air our differences of opinion in front of the esteemed Fourth Estate. This is a serious discussion … we’re going to find a way to do that in a private setting.”
Aides said the meeting had not been scheduled, and they did not know if it would happen before or after the November elections.
“The Democratic Party is continuing to evolve on Iraq … There is much we have in common,” Dean said. “While we don’t have an ironclad timetable, we’re heading in the right direction.”
I can think of a better one than that. How about one five word sentence? Brief, clear, and concise. We have a “Secret Plan“. It worked for Richard Nixon.
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One Response to Memo to Dean: How about a "Secret Plan" to End the War in Iraq?
Recently posted on the NPI Advocate- Washington’s Senate approves marriage equality legislation after long debate
- President Obama’s schedule for February 17th Seattle visit begins to take shape
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- Happy seventh birthday, Pacific NW Portal!
- Big vote on marriage equality tomorrow
So how credible is Plez? I have no reservations on demanding an open democratic process during the primary. That is the purpose of having a primary, so party members can decide who they want to represent them. Pelz and others are trying to shove Cantwell down our throats. Her votes are causing many to gag. Here’one back at Dwight.
A Democratic Black Eye
It’s time my fellow Democrats to take a stand! The Washington primary in September will give us an important choice of who will represent us in the United States Senate. Mark Wilson or Maria Cantwell is our choice.
Some say the incumbent (Cantwell) has done this, that and raised so much money. I say “So What!” I want a Senator Like Mark Wilson who will represent the issues that are most important to “We the People!” Elections have been all about money for years and it’s damn well time to change that!
This is “ All well and Good” but if we do not get our representatives in office who will bring public financing to the table and jam it through it will continue to be the vicious cycle which has been going on for years!
Lobbyists and special interests have corrupted the majority of our Congress with money and gifts which shows these recipients to be sellouts to the American people no matter what their party affiliation!
Sure, they make the excuse that they have to fundraise everyday to stay in office to do the public’s business but the reality is most of these public servants never bring up legislation to switch to public financing nor do they promote the idea to their base.
I encourage all who think their patriotism is unquestionable to get involved in the election process in all facets. Look at the Voting records, bills and legislation that they support.
It is your duty as an American Citizen to get involved and become educated in the political process. Knowing how your government works is vital in understanding how laws and legislation help or hurt you as citizens.
An informed public may stop voting for candidates who continuously work for corporations and special interest groups.
An example of what Public Financing can do for you is systemic. Take away the big corporate money and lobbyists then you will have honest Government working for the public, as they should! To hell with lobbying reform just eliminate it period. Lobbying is just another word for bribery! In that case I would consider that practice treason.
I live in Washington State. My United States senators are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Both of these Senators are progressive in their voting. Murray at about 87% and Cantwell about 80%. Those are not bad percentages. When you look at the votes and legislation coming from these two senators you might say at election time, “I would vote for them again”.“ Good incumbents are hard to find”. Well you are partially right! Ask yourself the question “Did these two bring legislation to the table and vote for the best interests of the state and country every time?” The answer is no! Shocked, I’m not. We can’t have our way all the time now can we? We can do better!
The Washington State primary is in September in which Maria Cantwell is running against Mark Wilson. Cantwell has raised almost 7 million dollars for her campaign.
I am sure she wont bother to worry about Mark Wilson because she may feel her incumbency trumps Mark or anyone else who may challenge her. Corporate donations and special interest money seem to be what drives Cantwells Campaign. Then of course, she is proud of her voting record. I am not so proud of her record or the fact she is obligated to these corporations and special interests for their huge donations.
Primary elections are to make changes in representation and Washington State should Elect Mark Wilson and send Maria back to school.
Mark Wilson is the person who will represent the average working citizens of Washington State. Mark is concerned with big issues most important to the citizens of our state:
· Bring an immediate end to our nation’s ill conceived war
· Protect Social Security
· Oppose: NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO.
· Direct spending to conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy
· Refocus our troops on national defense
· Enforce air and water quality standards
· Establish a National Peace Academy
· Support basic education, kindergarten through age 20
· Make sure health care becomes the right of all Americans
It’s an easy choice for me. I want a person to speak for me who knows what its like to survive in today’s world. Mark Wilson is that choice! I don’t believe for one minute that a millionaire like Maria Cantwell can relate to me or my needs much less speak on the behalf of the average citizen like Mark can.
Maria Cantwell Voted for the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, NAFTAand CAFTA.
She also voted for confirmation of Condoleeza Rice and John Negroponte and the destructive Bush energy bill and to move class-action lawsuits from state to federal courts.
One of Cantwell’s most heinous actions was to NOT supporting the Democratic filibuster of Samuel Alito then she turned around and took credit for voting against Alito’s confirmation as Supreme Court justice. If that’s not enough to make you gag then I will offer a few more items to induce vomiting. Cantwell voted not to repeal oil and gas tax breaks from the energy bill. To enable the President to place International trade agreements above worker and environmental protections, against a repeal of tax breaks which reward U.S. companies for moving their manufacturing plants overseas!
Is that how you want to be represented? The democratic voters are not behind these positions Cantwell has taken on these issues. She has failed her base and the citizens of Washington State. In fairness to Maria Cantwell, on other issues she has voted progressively. When you weigh the importance of her votes, I would say that the Issues which are getting troops killed, outsourcing jobs, changing the shape of the courts for decades and kicking the rotten Washington Lobbyists out on their butts. Maria fails miserably for the voters of Washington State!
Some have said we need winners in government and I agree. Mark Wilson is the winner we need in Washington who will support the big issues and the Democratic Party! On issues like filibusters, outsourcing of jobs and healthcare for all Mark is who I want standing up for me in Washington. Mark Wilson will not vote out of both sides of his mouth just to please special interests or big corporate campaign donors.
I am sure when we send Maria Cantwell back to the private sector she will be courageous in her support of Mark Wilson and transfer those democratic donations from her campaign to Mark Wilson against Mike McGavick.
Mark Wilson speaks for the Washington citizens and me!
VoteMark.org
Public Financing will bring real REPRESENTATION to our government.
Lets send all the Washington lobbyists packing back to Exxon, Enron, and the Drug lobby. Et al.
Washington State is a Progressive State. Let’s start voting that way and elect Mark Wilson to show our state is ready to bring the country back to the American People!
Ozy